The Luxembourg Philharmonic Orchestra presents two flagship works from the repertoire of the French composer César Frank. Under the baton of Gustavo Gimeno, artistic director and principal conductor of the orchestra, the great Symphony in D minor (1886-1888) and Symphonic Variations (1885) for piano and orchestra are performed. Through its interpretation, the Luxembourg formation succeeds in bringing out the main characteristics of late symphonic Romanticism in these two works, namely a marked character and omnipresent emotionalism. The orchestra stands out for its ability to interpret with accuracy the different emotions that Frank brings out through the three movements of his symphony. The colossal first movement is rendered with a bubbling ardour, while the second, much more refined in texture, is imbued with a lightness and innocence that the ensemble brilliantly depicts. The third movement, reminiscent of the Beethoven’s final symphonies, is grandiose and full of energy. This professionalism and immense technique are also found in the Symphonic Variations, featuring Russian pianist Denis Kozhukhin. As the work is a constant dialogue between the orchestra and the soloist, Kozhukhin’s pianistic playing can be appreciated at many moments, and it lives up to all expectations. This album does perfect justice to the two works it presents, and spotlights virtuosity as well as the mastery of language of César Frank, a great representative of late French Romanticism.
Latest 360 Content
Interview Classical/classique
Transforming Hiroshima mon amour into contemporary opera: Christian Lapointe and Rosa Lind tell the story
By Marilyn Bouchard
Concert review Classical/classique
“Hiroshima, mon amour”: An Evening to Remember
By Marilyn Bouchard
Concert review Électro/euro-disco
Art of the Line: Klangkarussell’s Euro Vision at SAT
By Loic Minty
Dossier
Centroamérica – a powerful docu-play about truth and connection in an age of distance and denial
By Stephan Boissonneault
Album review classique/Sacred Music/Latino/Classical/Pop 2025
Lido Pimienta – La Belleza
By Stephan Boissonneault
Album review Experimental / Contemporary/expérimental / contemporain/Rock/psych 2025
Grails – Miracle Music
By Stephan Boissonneault
Album review Electronic/Indigenous peoples 2025
The Halluci Nation – Path of the Baby Face
By Stephan Boissonneault
Interview Classical/classique
A lap steel guitar choir and an angel to end the Innovations en concert 24-25 season
By Frédéric Cardin
Concert review classique/Classical/Traditional
The OSM and Abel Selaocoe: Evenings When You’d Like to Stop Time
By Judith Hamel
Concert review Classical/classique
Reaching for the sky: Francis Choinière’s challenge to end his OPCM’s 10th season
By Frédéric Cardin
Album review art rock/Pop/Rock/électro-indie/Electronic 2025
Stereolab – Instant Holograms On Metal Film
By Stephan Boissonneault
Interview expérimental / contemporain/Classical/classique
SMCQ | In memoriam Jocelyn Morlock
By Alain Brunet
Album review Classical/classique 2025